The device, named TempSight, responds to cumulative heat exposure over time and is designed to meet WHO standards, with upcoming testing before widespread adoption.

Led by Dr. Izabela Jurewicz, the team successfully transitioned the concept from laboratory research to a commercial product, demonstrating a successful move from innovation to real-world application.

Scientists at the University of Surrey have developed a low-cost, heat-sensitive, colour-changing label, called TempSight, designed to prevent vaccine waste caused by improper storage temperatures.

This innovative label changes colour when vaccine vials are exposed to excessive heat, providing a visual cue of potential spoilage and ensuring vaccine safety.

The new vaccine vial monitor (VVM) is scalable, affordable, and meets WHO safety standards, with plans for testing by the World Health Organization to assess its effectiveness in real-world settings.

The WHO is set to evaluate the technology, which aims to reduce vaccine wastage, especially in low- and middle-income countries where up to half of vaccine doses are discarded due to temperature concerns.

The development highlights the importance of collaboration between industry and academia in transforming innovative research into impactful solutions for global health challenges.

This cost-effective system is more affordable than existing solutions and has potential applications beyond vaccines, including storing cancer drugs, blood, and food products.

Unlike traditional VVMs, which are limited, this new solution offers a scalable, affordable, and effective alternative to ensure the safety of temperature-sensitive items.

Dr. Izabela Jurewicz from the University of Surrey emphasized the potential impact of this innovation in improving vaccine safety and accessibility worldwide.

The technology was developed through collaboration between university researchers, AMD Ltd, and MM Packaging, with AMD licensing the product for large-scale production to facilitate global distribution.

Researchers are also exploring applications of this temperature-sensitive technology in other areas such as cancer drugs, blood storage, and food packaging to prevent cold-chain failures.